Workout #40

I mostly walked today. My knee is still bothering me, and I feel like I need to get it feeling better before I run on it much more. The running bothers it, so I really felt like my body was telling me to back off. Hopefully I can figure out what to do about my knee so I can get past this roadblock quickly!!!

2.85 miles, 36:30.

ETA: Sounds like this might be what's wrong.

Run #39: 5K

3.1 miles in 34 minutes even

This was by far the easiest long run I've done! I think the Monday boot camp is really helping my legs feel stronger, which makes a huge difference. I was surprised my pace was slower, not faster, than usual. But while I still want to get down to 10:30 and then 10:00, it was a huge victory to me today, being able to run so EASILY. I still challenged myself; I just felt strong!

I do have a knee that is bothering me a bit. I'm running through it, and it's not bad at all; I just hope it gets better, not worse.

Run #38: 5K

I am so glad I got back out there today! After Wednesday's unmotivated short run/walk, I didn't run Saturday since I had to be somewhere at 7. So I ran today, on my 5K neighborhood route. It was a good run! I pushed myself but didn't feel awful.

Looking forward to seeing what my time was, I pushed the button on the stopwatch as I stopped running--and the stopwatch started. Yep, I'd failed to turn it on in the first place. So I'm figuring it was probably a pace of about six minutes a mile.

(I wish!)

Based on the time on the podcast I was listening to, I think my time was good, but I don't know if it was my best or not. We'll see how I do Tuesday. Hubby is changing his workout schedule, so I am too--it'll now be Tuesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays or Sundays for runs, and Mondays I'll still do the boot camp.

Run #37: Short run/walk

I went under 2 miles today, a little over 20 minutes (pace 11:20 per mile.)

It's been a rough week emotionally and my head was NOT in the game today. Decided on a short run with some walking breaks. It was not a great workout but at least my heart rate got up and I did SOMETHING on a morning I didn't want to get out of bed, much less run.

Run #36: 5K

Another 5K! I routed a 5K map through my neighborhood. (Saturday's route was mostly outside the neighborhood, on some busier streets.) In my neighborhood I can take my dog without worrying about traffic since I can stay on sidewalks the whole time (except when crossing streets or going around annoying cars parked at the ends of driveways, covering the sidewalk. Grr.)

Yes, I'm still running with the dog, some of the time. I'm trying to focus on watching him more so I don't trip on him again.

Today's pace was 10:48 per mile, almost exactly what it was Saturday. Maybe another plateau, but what I found at my last plateau (a little over 11:00 per mile) was that after a few runs at that pace, I was able to improve my pace without really trying. So my body just needs to get a little stronger to get down to 10:30 and then down to 10:00.

This route included a lot of hills, which I've decided I kind of like. The uphill parts are so hard! But the "break" downhill is so nice.

Another boot camp this morning! I hope I did enough squats & lunges at home to prevent me being so sore afterward this time.

Run #35: My first 5K!

I didn't go to the 5K I'd planned to run. We are having a birthday party for my daughter at 11, and even though it's a small party, I just had too much to do. (The 5K was a 40 minute drive from my house.) Instead I used Daily Mile's mapping software to map out my own 5K. In fact, it was a little further. A 5K is 3.1 miles, but I got mixed up and mapped 3.2 miles instead.

I ran it, the whole way! I did it in 34 minutes 28 seconds, which is 10:46 per mile. That's my second-best all-time pace. I'm pretty happy with it; I'd like to get down to 10:30 soon, but just getting past the fear of a 5K was a huge step--next time I'll know I can do it and maybe I'll be faster.

I'm really proud of myself!

Run #34

So, I went to a "boot camp" workout Monday. I plan to go every Monday if I can work it out with my schedule--it's ladies-only, and it's free, including free childcare.

What's not to love?

My thighs answered that question Tuesday. I had no idea how many times a day I have to get down on the floor with my kids--and back up again--until my burning, post-workout quads counted for me. Not to mention the stairs.

I'm so glad I ran today, though. I was not running for speed today. My legs were still sore (though thankfully less than yesterday.) My goal was just to keep going, so that I could loosen up those muscles. My pace was over a minute per mile slower than it had been on Monday, but that's okay. It was a nice, fairly easy run, and my legs felt a whole lot better after the run than before it.

I think I'd better do some squats and lunges before next week's class though. The pain is worth the gain, but I'd prefer to feel a little better next Tuesday!

Next run...my first 5K on Saturday!

Run #33

I can't believe it--I improved my pace by 26 seconds/mile, down to 10:34 a mile! My next "little goal" has been 10:30 ("big goal" 10:00); can't believe how close I got today!

The reason it's so surprising is this--I did NOT want to run today. I didn't enjoy my run. I considered quitting in the middle.

I'm glad I got out of bed and kept putting one foot in front of the other!

Run #32

I hit my goal of 11 minutes a mile today--exactly! 2.78 miles in 35:38.

Dealt with some side cramps and some rough ground that was tough to run on. So pleased with my pace even with those challenges! Yeah!

Week 9 Day 3: Couch to 5K completed!!

I DID IT! I completed the Couch-to-5K program!! My pace is staying steady a little above 11 minutes; today it was 11:06 per mile (2.69 miles.) I really want to get it down to 11, then down to 10, but I know I'm putting in the effort--I'll get there eventually. (Hopefully "eventually"="soon.") I haven't actually run 5K (3.2 miles) yet, but I think I could if I wanted to. (And soon I will--see below.)

I'm proud that I ran in really cold weather today. Not sure what it was when I ran an hour and a half ago, but now it's 32 degrees (22 degrees with windchill.)

I am planning to run two 5Ks in this first quarter of 2010. The first is just a little over a week away. It's a very low-key 5K in a nearby suburb. It's only $1 to enter! They do them monthly, so if I like it, I may make it a regular thing. In March I plan to do a 5K nearer my house; it also includes a Fun Run that I'll probably enter Chickie (my 4-year-old) in.

I did it!! I'm a runner!

Week 9 Day 3 (attempt 1)

This morning was supposed to be the last official day of my Couch-to-5K program. I was supposed to do a 30-minute run (not 5K yet for me, but I'm getting there.) After 21 minutes, I suddenly caught my foot on my dog (who runs with me, his leash tied to my waist), and I went down. My hands and knees hit first, then my hip, and lastly my head.

I don't think I have any real injuries, but we'll see how I feel tomorrow. I expect I'll be somewhat sore. I certainly didn't feel (physically or emotionally) like continuing to run, so I walked straight home.

I've been working so hard on this program, and to be stopped with a fall, 2/3 of the way through my last run, is so disheartening! I know I can finish it on my next running day (Thursday), but for now I'm having just a bit of a pity party. (And pity parties don't burn nearly as many calories as running does.)

Week 9 Day 2

My goal for today was to run at a pace of 11 minutes a mile. I got close to that (2.69 miles, 11:07 per mile), and, most importantly, it was a great workout. I was rested and energetic, and I made a point to push myself.

I did wonder, several minutes in, if I was pushing too hard, but I was surprised as I kept running that, though I was breathing heavier, I started feeling really good.

I'd love to get down to that 11 minutes a mile pace on Monday. But my primary goal is just to complete the run Monday, because that will mean I completed the Couch-to-5K training program! I'm close, and I feel so great about that.

Now I need a Garmin watch, so I can track my pace while I'm running. Too bad Santa doesn't come back for about 51 more weeks....